A massive fire broke out at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) headquarters on Broad Street, Lagos Island, causing panic and chaos in the bustling commercial area. Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the multi-storey Afriland Tower, forcing employees and customers to flee for their lives.
Heart-stopping videos circulating on social media captured the terrifying moment staff members climbed out of windows using ladders provided by the Lagos State Fire Service. In one clip, a desperate worker was seen jumping from an upper floor to escape the flames.
The fire, which reportedly started in the inverter room located in the basement, quickly spread across multiple floors of the building. Emergency responders, including teams from the Ebute Elefun and Sari Iganmu fire stations, rushed to the scene to battle the blaze and evacuate occupants.
So far, no casualties have been officially confirmed, but the building has sustained significant damage. Authorities have cordoned off the area, urging motorists to avoid Broad Street to ease traffic congestion caused by onlookers and rescue efforts. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with initial suspicions pointing to an electrical fault or generator malfunction.
The incident has reignited concerns about fire safety compliance in commercial buildings across Lagos, as residents and social media users call for stricter measures to prevent such disasters in the future. ¹ ² ³
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